Solar powered rechargeable device for use with an electronic device and method of use thereof

ABSTRACT

A solar powered device comprising a solar radiation collection portion, wherein the solar radiation collection portion includes: a solar panel to collect solar radiation, a concentrator surrounding the solar panel to concentrate the solar radiation, and a charge controller coupled to the solar panel, a base portion, a plurality of legs, and a connection portion operably connecting the solar radiation collection portion to the base portion, the connection portion including a connection member having a first end and a second end is provided. Furthermore, an associated method is also provided.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser.No. 13/839,362, filed Mar. 15, 2013, and entitled, “Solar PoweredRechargeable Device For Use With An Electronic Device and Method of UseThereof,” which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No.12/956,694, filed Nov. 30, 2010, and entitled, “Solar PoweredRechargeable Device for Use With an Electronic Device and Method of UseThereof.”

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

The following relates to a solar powered battery unit, and morespecifically to embodiments of a solar powered battery unit for chargingan electronic device.

BACKGROUND

Electronic devices, similar to those used in telecommunications,typically operate with the use of a rechargeable battery to power theelectronic device. To recharge the battery, an electrical current isapplied to the battery to electrically reverse the electrochemicalreactions that previously generated electricity, for future conversioninto electricity. Typically, the source of the electrical current tocharge a battery is alternating current (AC) mains electricity. Forinstance, a micro-USB cable can connect an electronic device to a wallreceptacle delivering AC electricity to charge the battery of theelectronic device.

Although plugging an electronic device into an AC power source issufficient to charge a battery of an electronic device, an AC powersource is not always available. For example, a person stranded or simplyworking in the field with no means of generating sustainable electricitycannot simply plug the device into a cable charger connected to a wallreceptacle. Without a conventional AC power source to recharge thebattery, the electronic device will eventually fail. Moreover,consumption of the electricity and electricity generation can be harmfulto the environment, and harmful to a person's finances.

Thus, a need exists for an apparatus and method for charging a batteryand/or an electronic device with an alternate power source, inparticular, solar cell technology.

SUMMARY

A first general aspect relates to a device comprising a solar radiationcollection portion, wherein the solar radiation collection portionincludes: a first solar panel to collect solar radiation, a concentratorpositioned a distance above the first solar panel to concentrate thesolar radiation, and a charge controller coupled to the first solarpanel, the charge controller electrically coupled to a first receptacle,a base portion, the base portion including a battery unit, a pluralityof legs, wherein a second receptacle is electrically coupled to thebattery unit, and a connection portion operably connecting the solarradiation collection portion to the base portion, the connection portionincluding a connection member having a first end and a second end.

A second general aspect relates to a solar powered rechargeable devicecomprising a first solar panel having a first side and a second side,the first solar panel being foldable into a plurality of sectors andconfigured to collect solar radiation, a battery unit having a pluralityof legs and a battery plug electrically coupled thereto, a connectionportion connecting the first solar panel to the battery unit, whereinthe connection portion erects the first solar panel, a charge controllercoupled to the second side of the first solar panel, wherein theconverter controls the electrical energy converted by the first solarpanel, a first receptacle electrically coupled to the charge controller,the first receptacle configured to accept an electrical plug from anelectronic device to establish a first electrical connection, and asecond receptacle electrically coupled to the battery unit, the secondreceptacle configured to accept the electrical plug from an electronicdevice to establish a second electrical connection.

A third general aspect relates to a method of charging an electronicdevice comprising collecting solar radiation with a first solar panel,wherein the first solar panel is foldable into a plurality of sectors,positioning a concentrator a distance above the first solar panel toconcentrate the solar radiation onto a portion of the first solar panel,structurally connecting a battery unit to the first solar panel, whereinthe battery unit has a plurality of legs to provide stability,electrically coupling a first receptacle to the first solar panel totransfer electrical energy from the first solar panel to at least one ofthe battery unit and an electronic device, and mating the firstreceptacle with the electronic device to charge the electronic device.

A fourth aspect relates generally to a device comprising: a solarradiation collection portion, wherein the solar radiation collectionportion includes: a solar panel to collect solar radiation, aconcentrator surrounding the solar panel to concentrate the solarradiation, and a charge controller coupled to the solar panel; a baseportion, a plurality of legs; and a connection portion operablyconnecting the solar radiation collection portion to the base portion,the connection portion including a connection member having a first endand a second end.

A fifth aspect relates generally to a solar powered rechargeable devicecomprising: a solar panel disposed on an inner reflective surface of aconcentrator, the concentrator configured to collect and direct solarradiation towards the solar panel; a battery unit having a plurality oflegs and a battery plug electrically coupled thereto; a connectionportion connecting the solar panel to the battery unit, wherein theconnection portion erects the solar panel; a charge controller coupledto the second side of the solar panel, wherein the converter controlsthe electrical energy converted by the solar panel; a first receptacleelectrically coupled to the charge controller, the first receptacleconfigured to accept an electrical plug from an electronic device toestablish a first electrical connection; and a second receptacleelectrically coupled to the battery unit, the second receptacleconfigured to accept the electrical plug from an electronic device toestablish a second electrical connection.

A sixth aspect relates generally to a method of charging an electronicdevice comprising: collecting solar radiation with a solar panel beingencompassed by a concentrator, wherein the concentrator has a parabolicshape and an inner reflective surface to concentrate the solar radiationonto a portion of the first solar panel; structurally connecting abattery unit to the solar panel, wherein the battery unit has aplurality of legs to provide stability; electrically coupling a firstreceptacle to the solar panel to transfer electrical energy from thefirst solar panel to at least one of the battery unit and an electronicdevice; and mating the first receptacle with the electronic device tocharge the electronic device.

The foregoing and other features of construction and operation will bemore readily understood and fully appreciated from the followingdetailed disclosure, taken in conjunction with accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some of the embodiments will be described in detail, with reference tothe following figures, wherein like designations denote like members,wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts a side view of an embodiment of a solar poweredrechargeable device;

FIG. 2A depicts a top view of an embodiment of a first solar panel and asecond solar panel;

FIG. 2B depicts a top view of an embodiment of the first solar panel,second solar panel, and a concentrator;

FIG. 3 depicts a top view of a first embodiment of the first solar panelpartially folded;

FIG. 4 depicts a top view of a second embodiment of the first solarpanel partially folded;

FIG. 5 depicts a top view of a third embodiment of the first solar panelin a completely folded position;

FIG. 6 depicts a cross-section view of an embodiment of the first solarpanel in the completely folded position;

FIG. 7 depicts a rear view of an embodiment of the solar poweredrechargeable device;

FIG. 8 depicts a rear view of an embodiment of a base portion;

FIG. 9 depicts a rear view of an embodiment of the solar poweredrechargeable device charging the battery unit;

FIG. 10 depicts a rear view of an embodiment of the battery unitcharging an electronic device;

FIG. 11 depicts a rear view of an embodiment of the solar poweredrechargeable device charging the battery unit and the electronic device;

FIG. 12 depicts a rear view of an embodiment of the solar radiationcollection portion charging the electronic device;

FIG. 13 depicts a rear view of an embodiment of a solar poweredrechargeable device;

FIG. 14A depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of a clip of aconnection portion;

FIG. 14B depicts a top view of an embodiment of the clip of theconnection portion;

FIG. 14C depicts a front view of an embodiment of the clip of theconnection portion;

FIG. 15 depicts a perspective view of a second embodiment of a solarcollection device having a concentrator surrounding a solar panel;

FIG. 16 is a front view of an embodiment of a solar radiation collectionportion; and

FIG. 17 is a side view of an embodiment of the solar radiationcollection portion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A detailed description of the hereinafter described embodiments of thedisclosed apparatus and method are presented herein by way ofexemplification and not limitation with reference to the Figures.Although certain embodiments are shown and described in detail, itshould be understood that various changes and modifications may be madewithout departing from the scope of the appended claims. The scope ofthe present invention will in no way be limited to the number ofconstituting components, the materials thereof, the shapes thereof, therelative arrangement thereof, etc., and are disclosed simply as anexample of embodiments of the present invention.

As a preface to the detailed description, it should be noted that, asused in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms“a”, “an” and “the” include plural referents, unless the context clearlydictates otherwise.

Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of a solarpowered rechargeable device 100. The solar powered rechargeable device100 may charge an electronic device 5 directly or indirectly. Directcharging of an electronic device 5 may occur through electricalcommunication between the solar radiation collection portion 20 and theelectronic device 5. For instance, the electronic device 5 may plug intoa receptacle coupled to a solar panel to receive electrical energy tocharge the battery housed within an electronic device 5. Indirectcharging of an electronic device 5 may occur through the electricalcommunication between the base portion 50 and the electronic device 5.For instance, the electronic device 5 may plug into a receptacle coupledto the battery unit 55 to receive electrical energy to charge thebattery housed within an electronic device 5. The solar poweredrechargeable device 100 may also be referred to as a solar panel batteryunit, a solar cell rechargeable device, a photovoltaic battery chargingdevice, and the like.

Embodiments of device 100 may include a solar radiation collectionportion 20, wherein the solar radiation collection portion 20 includes afirst solar panel 25 to collect solar radiation 21, a concentrator 33positioned a distance above the first solar panel 25 to concentrate,focus, reflect, refract, converge, etc., the solar radiation 21 (i.e.concentrated solar radiation 22), and a charge controller 40 coupled tothe first solar panel 25, the charge controller 40 electrically coupledto a first receptacle 45, a base portion 50, the base portion 50including a battery unit 55, a plurality of legs 57, wherein a secondreceptacle 60 is coupled to the battery unit 55, and a connectionportion 80 operably connecting the solar radiation collection portion 20to the base portion 50, the connection portion 80 including a connectingmember 85 having a first end 81 and a second end 82. Further embodimentsof device 100 may include a first solar panel 25 having a first side 26and a second side 27, the first solar panel 25 being foldable into aplurality of sectors 22 and configured to collect solar radiation 21, abattery unit 55, wherein a plurality of legs 57 and a battery plug 56are attached thereto, a connection portion 80 connecting the first solarpanel 25 to the battery unit 55, wherein the connection portion 80erects the first solar panel 25, and a charge controller 40 coupled tothe second side 27 of the first solar panel 25, wherein the chargecontroller 40 controls the electrical energy converted by the firstsolar panel 25 (and second solar panel 28), a first receptacle 45electrically coupled to the charge controller 40, the first receptacle45 configured to accept an electrical plug 15 from an electronic device5 to establish a first electrical connection, and a second receptacle 60externally coupled to the battery unit 55, the second receptacle 60configured to accept the electrical plug 15 from an electronic device 5to establish a second electrical connection.

Embodiments of the solar radiation collection portion 20 of device 100may include a first solar panel 25, a second solar panel 28, aconcentrator 33, a charge controller 40, a first receptacle 45electrically coupled to the charge controller 40, and a counterweight29. The solar radiation collection portion 20 may collect, accept,absorb, catch, etc., solar radiation, for example, electromagneticradiation from the sun. The solar radiation collection portion 20 may beoperably connected to the base portion 50, and may be variably adjusted(e.g. position angle with respect to the surface of the Earth, faceangle with respect to the position of the Sun, tilt, etc.) to achieveoptimal radiation collection.

Referring now to FIG. 2A, embodiments of the solar radiation collectionportion 20 may include a first solar panel 25. The first solar panel 25may include a first side 26, or first surface, and a second side 27, orsecond surface. The first solar panel 25 may also include a transversalhinge 24 a and a longitudinal hinge 24 b which may allow the first solarpanel 25 to be folded, pivoted, etc., to reduce the size of the firstsolar panel 25 for storage, transportation, and the like. Moreover, thefirst solar panel 25 may be a solar panel, a photovoltaic module, aphotovoltaic panel, and the like, having a packaged interconnectedassembly of solar cells or photovoltaic cells. For example, the firstsolar panel 25 may be composed of several layers, wherein each layer maybe a structural or load carrying layer, reflective layer, absorbinglayer, cooling layer, photoactive layer, etc. The structural layer maybe made of glass or other materials meeting structural requirement,transparency requirements, cost requirements, manufacturingrequirements, and other requirements known to those having skill in theart. Additionally, the structural layer may be flexible or rigid. Thephotoactive layer may be composed of materials such as semiconductorsthat show photoactivity, and may be associated with the structural layerby various methods such as laying or deposition on the structural layersforming photovoltaic units or modules. Photoactive materials may beamorphous or crystalline, mono or poly crystalline structures, and/orelements or compounds including, but not limited to, silicon, cadmium,halogens, mercury, zinc, iridium, tellurium, copper, gold, silver,gallium, arsenides, selenium, organic or polymer materials, and/or acombination thereof. The first solar panel 25 may include differentkinds of photovoltaic cells. For example, the photovoltaic cells may berigid, flexible, thin film, bulk cell, etc., and can be produced bychanging the method of association with the structural layer.

Accordingly, the photovoltaic cells of the first solar panel 25 may beinterconnected by various methods in series or parallel to meet voltageand/or current requirements. Connection between photovoltaic cells maybe achieved by using a perimeter connector, a conductive grid on theupper and/or lower surface of the photoactive layer or by a thin layerof conductive material. The connections may be a positive type and anegative type depending on the type of photoactive material connected bythe connection. If a positive type connection is connected to anotherpositive type connection, it results in a parallel connection. Likewise,if a negative type connection is connected to another negative typeconnection, it results in a parallel connection. When a positive typeconnection is connected to a negative connection, or vice versa, itresults in a series connection. One having skill in the art shouldappreciate that a higher voltage may be achieved by increasing thenumber of series connection and a higher current may be achieved byincreasing the number of parallel connections. Moreover, theproductivity of the first solar panel 25 may depend on the number ordensity of incident photons on the photoactive layer. As a photon hits aphotoactive material unit or layer of the first solar panel 25 (andpotentially a second solar panel 28), the energy of the photon isabsorbed or used by the material to excite and delocate an electron; thedelocation of the electron(s) thus creates a flow of electrical energy.As this process repeats, a flow of many electrons create a flow ofcurrent (electrical energy) though a closed circuit. Therefore, theelectrical energy, or current, generated may be harnessed to power anelectrical device or to charge a battery.

Referring still to FIG. 2A, the first solar panel 25 may include aplurality of sectors 22. The plurality of sectors 22 may each be aportion, a predetermined portion, a subdivided portion, and the like, ofthe first solar panel 25, and may be divided, subdivided, separated,etc., by the transversal hinge 24 a and the longitudinal hinge 24 b. Forinstance, the first solar panel 25 may include four sectors 22 dividedby the transversal hinge 24 a and longitudinal hinge 24 b, wherein eachsector 22 may be referred to as a quadrant. Other embodiments of thefirst solar panel 25 may include less than four sectors 22, or more thanfour sectors 22, depending on the size of the first solar panel 25, thefoldable arrangement of the first solar panel 25, and/or thickness ofthe first solar panel 25. Increasing or decreasing the number of sectors22 may require additional hinges or an elimination of a hinge(s) toachieve the necessary separation and/or folding of the sectors 22. Thetransversal hinge 24 a and the longitudinal hinge 24 b separating theplurality of sectors 22 may be a hinge, pivot, joint, or similarmechanical device, that may allow each sector 22 of the first solarpanel 25 to pivot, fold, etc., over the transversal hinge 24 a and/orover the longitudinal hinge 24 b. FIG. 3 depicts an embodiment of thefirst solar panel 25, wherein one of the plurality of sectors 22 isfolded over the transversal hinge 24 a onto a sector 22 below. In otherwords, if the first solar panel 25 includes four sectors 22, (e.g. fourquadrants), the sector 22 in the first quadrant (i.e. upper left) may befolded over the transversal hinge 24 a onto the sector 22 in the fourthquadrant (i.e. lower left). Because the sector 22 in the first quadrantis not mechanically coupled, through hinged means or otherwise, to thesector 22 in the second quadrant, (i.e. upper right), movement of thesector 22 in the first quadrant over the transversal hinge 24 a may notbe hindered or prevented. However, to prevent the sector 22 in the firstquadrant from collapsing when the first solar panel 25 is in thecollection or fully deployed position (as in FIG. 2A), a latching meansmay be used to removably secure the sector 22 in the first quadrant tothe sector 22 in the second quadrant.

FIG. 4 depicts an embodiment of a partially folded first solar panel 25,wherein two of the plurality of sectors 22 are now folded over thelongitudinal hinge 24 b onto the sector 22 in the third quadrant (i.e.lower right). Similarly, FIG. 5 depicts an embodiment of a fully foldedfirst solar panel 25, wherein three folded sectors 22 are folded overthe transversal hinge 24 a onto the sector 22 in the second quadrant. Inthe fully folded position, the first solar panel 25 may be one-fourth insize, and may easily be stored away in a pocket, backpack, or othercompartment. Each sector 22 of the first solar panel 25 may include anopening 23. Opening 23 may be an opening, hole, bore, tunnel, space, andthe like extending from the first side 26 of the first solar panel 25through the second side 27 of the first solar panel 25. When the firstsolar panel 25 is in a fully folded position, the openings 23 on each ofthe plurality of sectors 22 may align, forming an opening extendingthrough the fully folded first solar panel 25, as shown in FIG. 6. Thus,a fastener, or a fastening means, may be passed through the openings 23to removably secure the first solar panel 25 in the fully foldedposition, and may prevent the unfolding of the first solar panel 25.Those having skill in the requisite art should appreciate that themanner in which the first solar panel 25 is foldable may vary in thefolding order of the sectors 22, the mechanical means to achieve thenecessary pivots, fold, etc., and the manner in which the first solarpanel 25 is mechanically secured in the deployed position and in thefully folded position.

Referring back to FIG. 1 and with continued reference to FIG. 2A, asecond solar panel 28 may be coupled to the first side 26 of the firstsolar panel 25. The second solar panel 28 may be electricallyconnected/coupled independently to a power receiving unit, such ascharge controller 40, bypassing the first solar panel 25, or may beelectrically coupled and mechanically coupled/attached to the firstsolar panel 25 directly. The second solar panel 28 may be coupled to thefirst solar panel 25 for various purposes. For example, the second solarpanel 28 may be tuned to work most efficiently for a particularwavelength of light. The second solar panel 28 may be tuned for infraredlight or monochromatic light when availability of the entire spectrum oflight is compromised (e.g. clouds, shadows, etc). Furthermore, thesecond solar panel 28 may be a different photovoltaic module, or solarpanel, than the first solar panel 25. For instance, the second solarpanel 28 may be a monocrystalline silicon wafer, while the first solarpanel 25 may be a thin film photovoltaic module. In other embodiments,the second solar panel 28 may have a different chemical composition thanthe first solar panel 25. In further embodiments of the solar radiationcollection portion 20, the second solar panel 28 may have differentthermal characteristics than the first solar panel 25. Moreover, thesecond solar panel 28 may be a smaller panel, or module, than the firstsolar panel 25. Because the second solar panel 28 may be much smallerthan the first solar panel 25, the second solar panel 28 may be designedto be highly photoefficient, which may be more expensive to manufacturethan the first solar panel 25. Thus, the second solar panel 28 may beused to augment, back up, and/or replace power production of the firstsolar panel 25, including instances of malfunction of the first solarpanel 25 (e.g. first solar panel 25 cannot be fully deployed orefficiently used). The second solar panel 28 may have a thincross-section, or thickness, to avoid complicating (e.g. restricting thefolds) the folding process of the first solar panel 25.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, and additional reference to FIG. 2B,embodiments of the solar radiation collection portion 20 may include aconcentrator 33. The concentrator 33 may be positioned a distance abovethe first solar panel 25 (and second solar panel 28) to concentrate,focus, reflect, refracts, etc., incoming solar radiation 21 intoconcentrated radiation 22. A concentrator 33 may be a single lens or aplurality of lenses, including a Fresnel lens, collimators, mirrors,such as a conversion mirror, or a combination thereof. Embodiments ofconcentrator 33 may be a lens that may transmit and/or refract incomingsolar radiation 21, concentrating the incoming solar radiation 21 (i.e.converging or diverging the incoming solar radiation 21) towards aportion of the first solar panel 25 and/or a portion of the second solarpanel 28. Other embodiments of the concentrator 33 may be a mirror thatmay be angularly adjusted to reflect incoming solar radiation 21 towardsa portion of the first solar panel 25 and a portion of the second solarpanel 28. The concentrator 33 may be used to focus, concentrate, etc., alarge amount of incoming solar radiation 21 onto a specific portion ofthe surface of the first and second solar panels 25, 28. Furthermore,the concentrator 33 may allow and/or improve the use of a much smallersolar module, such as the second solar panel 28, having a highphotoefficiency, by reducing material consumption and manufacturingcosts. The concentrated radiation 22 may produce more heat in the firstand second solar panels 25, 28; therefore, the concentrator 33 may beused in conjunction with a cooling mechanism such as a heat sink orradiator to keep the first and second solar panels 25, 28 withinoperable temperatures to maintain photoefficiency. Additionalembodiments of concentrator 33 may also use antireflective layers inconjunction with the lenses.

Moreover, the concentrator 33 may be suspended above the first andsecond solar panels 25, 28 by a frame 34. The frame 34 may include aplurality of legs 37 connected to respective crossbars 39 a, 39 b. Eachcrossbar 39 a, 39 b, may have mechanical arms 36 to hold, support,accommodate, etc., a concentrator 33. In embodiments where theconcentrator 33 is a mirror, the mechanical arms 36 may be movable (e.g.rotatable, hinged, pivotable, etc.) to angularly adjust the concentrator33 to a desired angle with respect to the first and second solar panels25, 28. The bottom of legs 37 of the concentrator frame 34 may beinserted into openings 38 positioned on the first solar panel 25,wherein the location of the openings 38 correspond to the dimensions ofthe frame 34 (e.g. the distance between the openings 38 on the firstsolar panel 25 may be equal to the distance between each leg 37).Openings 38 may be an opening, a bore, a cavity, a recession, and thelike, having a cross-section that corresponds to the cross-section oflegs 37, and may not extend/penetrate completely through the first solarpanel 25. For example, openings 38 may extend a distance from the firstside 26, but not through the second side 27 of the first solar panel 25.A portion of the legs 37, proximate the bottom of the legs 37, may restinside the openings 38 deep enough to prevent the concentrator frame 34from sliding off of the first solar panel 25. Alternatively, openings 38may extend through the second side 27 of the first solar panel 25 if thelegs 37 include flanges proximate the bottom of the legs 37, wherein theflanges have a larger area than the area of openings 38. Theconcentrator frame 34 may be fixedly secured to the first solar panel 25through an additional fastener or fastening means, or may removablysecured to the first solar panel 25 by simply inserting the legs 37 ofthe frame 34 into the openings 38 positioned on the first solar panel25. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that embodiments of theconcentrator frame 34 may be comprised of lightweight metal, such asaluminum, plastic, composites, alloys, or a combination thereof.

With continued reference to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 7 depict anembodiment of the solar radiation collection portion 20 having a chargecontroller 40. The charge controller 40 may be physically coupled to thefirst solar panel 25 (e.g. mechanical communication between the chargecontroller 40 and the second side 27 of the first solar panel 25). Inother words, the charge controller 40 may be coupled directly to thesecond side 27 of the first solar panel 25. For example, the chargecontroller 40, or its outer surface or outer housing, may be adhered tothe first solar panel 25 while allowing/permitting an electricalconnection between the first solar panel 25 and the charge controller40. However, the structure of the charge controller 40 may have a thincross-section to avoid complicating (e.g. restricting the folds) thefolding process of the first solar panel 25. The charge controller 40may also be electrically coupled to the first solar panel 25. The chargecontroller 40 may be electrically coupled to the first solar panel 25 byvarious methods, for example, by employing resilient conducting pinsfrom the charge controller 40 which may contact conductive tracks on thefirst solar panel 25 or by employing conductive prongs soldered to acomplimentary receptacle in the first solar panel 25. One having skillin the art should appreciate that such an arrangement may be reversed.Alternatively, the charge controller 40 may also be coupled to the firstsolar panel 25 via a cable conductor, avoiding direct contact with thefirst solar panel 25, and may be detached prior to folding the firstsolar panel 25.

Furthermore, embodiments of the charge controller 40 may be connected topositive and negative poles of the first solar panel 25 connector orgrid, thus becoming a part of the closed circuit though which themigrating electrons can flow. The charge controller 40 may serve variousfunctions including current regulation, checking back flow ofcurrent/electrical energy, preventing overcharging or overdischarging ofa battery, such as battery unit 55, and protecting the closed circuitfrom destructive surges in current. One having skill in the art shouldappreciate that charge controller 40 may be one or more diodes,transistors, integrated circuits, chips, relays or a combinationthereof. Moreover, charge controller 40 may operate by regulatingcurrent flow by comparing it to a predetermined set value or values orrange of current. For example, a simple diode based charge controller 40can prevent the flow of current from the battery unit 55 to the firstsolar panel 25 while allowing current to flow from the first solar panel25 (and potentially second solar panel 28) to the battery unit 55.Alternatively, a transistor based charge controller 40 can allow acertain level of current flow and would act as a switch if a currentfalls outside a predetermined set range. The charge controller 40 mayalso be an electromechanical device, such as a relay to switch thecircuit on or off, depending on a certain set value.

Embodiments of the solar radiation collection portion 20 may alsoinclude a first receptacle 45 coupled to the charge controller 40. Thefirst receptacle 45 may be coupled to the charge controller through acable or other means which may support the flow, or transfer, ofelectrical energy (e.g. current). For instance, the first receptacle 45can be external to the charge controller 40 (i.e. connected via a cable)or the first receptacle 45 may be integrated into the body of the chargecontroller 40. The first receptacle 45 may be a socket, receptacle,jack, or other electrical connection device that may accept electricalpins or contacts from an electrical plug, such as the plug 15 of anelectronic device 5, and battery plug 56. The first receptacle 45 may bein electrical communication with the charge controller 40 and the firstsolar panel 25 via the charge controller 40. Moreover, the firstreceptacle 45 may be configured to accept or electrically mate with aplurality of electrical pins or electrical contacts of the plug 15 of anelectronic device 5 to establish an electrical connection. The mating ofthe first receptacle 45 and the plug 15 of an electronic device 5 maycharge the electronic device 5, as shown in FIG. 12. For example, theelectrical energy converted/produced by the solar radiation collectionportion 20 through absorption of solar radiation 21 by the first andsecond solar panels 25, 28, may be transferred from first and secondsolar panels 25, 28 to the electronic device 5 through the mating of thefirst receptacle 45 and the plug 15 of the electronic device 5.

Referring still to FIGS. 1 and 7, embodiments of the solar radiationcollection portion 20 may include a counterweight 29 coupled to thesecond side 27 of the first solar panel 25. The counterweight 29 may becoupled to the second side 27 of the first solar panel 25 to counter theweight of the charge controller 40 which may also be coupled to thefirst solar panel 25. For example, the weight of the charge controller40 may increase the torque exerted onto the connection member 85. Thus,to decrease the torque, a counterweight 29 may be coupled to an opposingor different sector 22 of the first solar panel 25. In most embodiments,the counterweight 29 may be a non-conductive, dense member having a thincross-section to avoid complicating (e.g. restricting the folds) thefolding process of the first solar panel 25. Alternatively, thecounterweight 29 may be a conductive member, such as a metal, if coupledto a non-conductive layer forming the second side 27 of the first solarpanel 25. Embodiments of the counterweight 29 may comprise polymericmaterials, elastomeric materials, hard plastics, and the like. Thoseskilled in the art should appreciate that other means to counter theweight of the charge controller 40 may be employed in device 100.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 8, embodiments of the solar poweredrechargeable device 100 may include a base portion 50. Embodiments ofthe base portion 50 may include a battery unit 55, a plurality of legs57, a battery plug 56, and a second receptacle 60. The base portion 50may provide stability to the solar powered rechargeable device 100. Forinstance, the base portion 50 may directly interact with a surface, suchas the surface of the Earth, when device 100 is operably configured andbeing used to charge a battery of an electronic device 5 or the batteryunit 55.

Embodiments of the base portion 50 may include a battery unit 55 havinga top end 51 and a bottom end 52. The battery unit 55 may refer to ahousing enclosing a rechargeable battery, or may comprise a rechargeablebattery, the outer surface being integral with the rechargeable battery.The battery unit 55 may comprise a rechargeable battery, or storagebattery, that may include one or more electrochemical cells. Forinstance, the battery unit 55 may be a lead-acid battery, nickel-cadmium(NiCd), nickel metal hydride (NiMH), lithium-ion (Li-ion), lithium-ionpolymer (Li-ion polymer), or other rechargeable battery known to thoseskilled in the art, having the ability to recharge, charge, and/or poweran electronic device 5, such as a cellular phone, satellite phone,laptop, mp3 player, smartphone, and the like.

The structure of the battery unit 55, or outer housing of the batteryunit 55, may vary, but should be sized and configured to withstand theload of the connection portion 80 and the solar radiation collectionportion 20, while also withstanding cross winds or other lateral forcesthat may be exerted onto the battery unit 55. Further embodiments of thestructure of the battery unit 55 may include ergonomic grips and/orsurface features that may facilitate the gripping of the battery unit55. For instance, the outer surface of the battery unit may includerecessions or grooves that correspond to shape of a clenched hand, ormay include a knurled surface to facilitate the gripping of the batteryunit 55. Alternatively, a sleeve may be placed over a portion of thebattery unit 55 to facilitate the gripping of the battery unit 55 in thefield. The sleeve may surround or substantially surround a middleportion (i.e. a portion between the top end 51 and the bottom end 52) ofthe battery unit 55.

To further provide stability and control, the battery unit 55 mayinclude a plurality of legs 57 proximate the bottom end 52. Theplurality of legs 57 may be attached to the bottom end 52 of the batteryunit 55 either fixedly or hingedly. For example, the plurality of legs57 may be rigidly fastened to the battery unit 55 proximate the secondend 52 such that the plurality of legs 57 is integral with the batteryunit 55 (e.g. casted as the same piece). Alternatively, the plurality oflegs 57 may be retractable. The plurality of legs 57 may be hingedlyattached to the battery unit 55 proximate the bottom end 52 through ahinged mechanical connection that may allow the plurality of legs 57 tohinge outward from underneath the battery unit 55 to provide stabilityto the device 100. For ease of storage in a pocket, backpack, or othercompartment, the plurality of legs 57 may then hinge inward underneaththe battery unit 55 to save space. However, those skilled in the artshould appreciate that other means to allow for refraction of the legs57 may be used. Further embodiments of the legs 57 may have a bendedconfiguration, or comparable angled orientation to raise the device 100a certain distance above the ground. An additional hinge joint may allowa bended portion of the legs 57 to also hinge, pivot, etc.

Referring still to FIGS. 1 and 8, a battery plug 56 may be located onthe outer surface of the battery unit 55, or protrude from the internalsof the battery unit 55, proximate or otherwise near the top end 51. Thebattery plug 56 may be in electrical communication with the battery unit55, and may be any type of plug known to those skilled in the art,including two pin/contact plugs, three pin/contact plugs, or othermulti-conductor plugs. Moreover, the battery plug 56 may be a pluralityof electrical pins or electrical contacts (e.g. male contacts)configured to mate with the first receptacle 45 of the solar radiationcollection portion 20 to establish an electrical connection.Specifically, the mating of the battery plug 56 and the first receptacle45 may charge the battery unit 55, as shown in FIG. 9. For example, theelectrical energy converted/produced by the first and second solarpanels 25, 28 from solar radiation 21 may be transferred from the chargecontroller 40 through the first receptacle 45, and upon mating with thebattery plug 56, the electrical energy from the solar radiation 21 maycharge the battery unit 55.

Embodiments of the base portion 50 may further include a secondreceptacle 60 located on the outer surface of the battery unit 55 (i.e.externally), or located inside the battery unit 55 (i.e. internally)wherein the electrical pins/contacts of a plug 15 from an electronicdevice may be inserted, proximate or otherwise near the top end 51. Thesecond receptacle 60 may be a socket, receptacle, jack, or otherelectrical connection device that may accept electrical pins or contactsfrom an electrical plug, such as the plug 15 of an electronic device 5The second receptacle 60 may be in electrical communication with thebattery unit 55. Moreover, the second receptacle 60 may be configured toaccept or electrically mate with a plurality of electrical pins orelectrical contacts of the plug 15 of an electronic device 5 toestablish an electrical connection. The mating of the second receptacle60 and the plug 15 of an electronic device 5 may charge the electronicdevice 5, as shown in FIG. 10. For example, the electrical energy storedin the battery unit 55 received from the solar radiation collectionportion 20 through conversion of solar radiation 21 by the first andsecond solar panels 25, 28, may be transferred from the battery unit 55to the electronic device 5 through the mating of the second receptacle60 and the plug 15 of the electronic device 5.

Furthermore, an electronic device 5 may be powered, charged, and/orrecharged while the first receptacle 45 is mated with the battery plug56, as shown in FIG. 11. The plug 15 of an electronic device 5 may beplugged into the second receptacle 60 while the first receptacle 45 ismated with the battery plug 56. This allows the electronic device 5 tobe powered from the stored energy of the battery unit 55, whileadditional electrical energy is being transferred from the solarradiation collection portion 20. Alternatively, as depicted in FIG. 12,the electronic device 5 may be directly connected to the solar radiationcollection portion 20 to charge, power, and/or recharge the electronicdevice 5 in instances where the battery unit 55 does not have sufficientstored energy, or where the stored energy in the battery unit 55 shouldbe saved for later consumption. For instance, the plug 15 of theelectronic device 5 may be plugged into the first receptacle 45 of thesolar radiation collection portion 20 to receive electrical energy.

Thus, a person in an environment or situation which does not have apower source, such as an alternating current (AC) source, or a backup DCpower source, such as a backup battery, may use device 100 to power,charge, and/or recharge an electronic device 5. Additionally, a personmay store electrical energy into the battery unit 55 during the daylightwithout exposing or unpacking their electronic device 5, and laterunpack and use and/or charge the electronic device 5 during thenighttime. Device 100 may provide the ability to use electronic devicesin the field for a prolonged period of time, without the need for an ACpower source. Furthermore, utilization of solar radiation 21 toelectrically power, charge, and/or recharge electronic devices is vastlyless expensive and extremely courteous to the environment. For example,utilizing solar radiation 21 eliminates the need to generate electricitythrough conventional means.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 13, and 14A-14C, embodiments of device 100 mayinclude a connection portion 80 operably connecting the solar radiationcollection portion 20 to the base portion 50. The connection portion 80may erect the solar radiation collection portion 20 from the baseportion 50. Embodiments of the connection portion 80 may include a firstclip 90 coupled to the first solar panel 25, a second clip 95 coupled tothe battery unit 55, and a connection member 85 having a first end 81and a second end 82.

Embodiments of the connection portion 80 may include a first clip 90coupled to the first solar panel 25. For example, the first clip 90 maybe fastened, coupled, attached, adhered, fixed, etc., to the second side27 of the first solar panel 25, such that the first clip 90 is coplanarwith the first solar panel 25. The first clip 90 may have an internalcavity 93 which may accept a first end 81 of the connection member 85,as shown in FIGS. 14A-14B. The internal cavity 93 may have across-section that corresponds to the cross-section of the first end 81of the connection member 85. For example, the dimensions of the firstend 81 of the connection member 85 may be slightly smaller than theinternal cavity 93 to fit within the internal cavity 93 snugly, but maybe manually removed with relative ease. The first clip 90 may alsoinclude a stopper 94 proximate or otherwise near the bottom end 92 ofthe first clip 90 to prevent further movement of the first end 81 of theconnection member 85 towards the base portion 50. For instance, thefirst clip 90 may accept the first end 81 of the connection member 85 asthe first end 81 of the connection member 85 enters the cavity 93 in aparallel arrangement. The stopper 94 of the first clip 90 prevents,stops, hinders, etc., further translational downward movement of thefirst end 81 of the connection member 85.

Embodiments of the connection portion 80 may also include a second clip95 coupled to the battery unit 55. For example, the second clip 95 maybe fastened, coupled, attached, adhered, fixed, etc., to the outersurface of the battery unit 55 at a location where the outer surface ofthe battery unit 55 is flat or substantially flat. The second clip 95may have an internal cavity 98 which may accept a second end 82 of theconnection member 85, as shown in FIGS. 14A-14C. The internal cavity 98of the second clip 95 may have a cross-section that corresponds to thecross-section of the second end 82 of the connection member 85. Forexample, the dimensions of the second end 82 of the connection member 85may be slightly smaller than the internal cavity 98 to fit within theinternal cavity 98 snugly, but may be manually removed with relativeease. The second clip 95 may also include a stopper 99 proximate orotherwise near the bottom end 96 of the second clip 95 to preventfurther movement of the second end 82 of the connection member in alateral direction away from the battery unit 55. For instance, thesecond clip 95 may accept the second end 82 of the connection member 85as the second end 82 of the connection member 85 enters the cavity 98 ina parallel arrangement. The stopper 99 of the second clip 95 prevents,stops, hinders, etc., further translational lateral movement of thesecond end 82 of the connection member 85.

Moreover, embodiments of the connection portion may include a connectionmember 85 having a first end 81 and a second end 82, wherein theconnection member 85 separates the base portion 50 from the solarradiation collection portion 20. The middle portion 83 of the connectionmember 85 (i.e. between the first end 81 and the second end 82) may be ahollow or solid member, having a circular, rectangular, square, or otherpolygonal cross-section. Coupled to the hollow or solid member proximateor otherwise near the first end 81 may be a first block member 84 whichmay fit within the internal cavity 93 of the first clip 90. The firstblock member 84 attached to the first end 81 of the connection member 85may be dimensioned to fit snugly within internal cavity 93, but may bemanually removed with relative ease. The first block member 84 may havea parallel relationship with the middle portion 83 of the connectionmember 85. Likewise, coupled to the hollow or solid member proximate orotherwise near the second end 82 may be a second block member 86 whichmay fit within the internal cavity 98 of the second clip 95. The secondblock member 86 attached to the second end 82 of the connection member85 may be dimensioned to fit snugly within internal cavity 98, but maybe manually removed with relative ease. The second block member 86 mayhave a perpendicular relationship with the middle portion 83 of theconnection member 85. Thus, when the first end 81 and the second end 82of the connection member, in particular, the first and second blockmember 84, 86, are operably attached to the first and second clip 90,95, respectively, the first solar panel 25 may be erected and separatedfrom the base portion 50.

Alternative connection means may be used to allow rotational movement ofthe connection member 85. For example, the connection member 85 mayrotate 360° to alter the position of the first solar panel 25. Theconnection means to allow for rotational movement of the connectionmember 85 may replace the second clip 95 and second block member 86 witha mechanical means to allow rotational movement of the connection member85. For instance, the second end 82 of the connection member 85 may beinserted through a congruent hole or opening in the outer surface of thebattery unit 55 proximate the top end 51 and rotatably retained in thehole by employing mechanical means such as retaining clips, snap rings,circlips, flaring the lip of the connection member 85 or a combinationof such mechanical means. Therefore, the connection member 85 may berotatable, and through rotation of the connection member 85, the firstsolar panel 25 may also rotate correspondingly.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-14C, a method for charging an electronic device5 may comprise the steps of collecting solar radiation 21 with a firstsolar panel 25, wherein the first solar panel 25 is foldable into aplurality of sectors 22, positioning a concentrator 33 a distance abovethe first solar panel 25 to concentrate the solar radiation 21 onto aportion of the first solar panel 25, structurally connecting a batteryunit 55 to the first solar panel 25, wherein the battery unit 55 has aplurality of legs 57 to provide stability, electrically coupling a firstreceptacle 45 to the first solar panel 25 to transfer electrical energyfrom the first solar panel 25 to at least one of the battery unit 55 andan electronic device 5, and mating the first receptacle 45 with theelectronic device 5 to charge the electronic device 5. The method mayalso include the steps of coupling a counterweight 29 to the first solarpanel 25, coupling a second solar panel 28 to the first solar panel 25,and coupling a charge controller 40 to the first solar panel 25 tocontrol the flow of electrical energy produced by the first solar panel25.

Referring now to FIGS. 15-17, an embodiment of device 200 is depictedhaving a solar radiation collection portion 220 including a solar panel225 and a concentrator 233. Embodiments of device 200 may also include acharge controller 40 coupled to the solar radiation collection portion220, the charge controller 40 electrically coupled to a first receptacle45, a base portion 50, the base portion 50 may include a battery unit55, a plurality of legs 57, wherein a second receptacle 60 can becoupled to the battery unit 55, and a connection portion 80 operablyconnecting the solar radiation collection portion 220 to the baseportion 50, the connection portion 80 including a connecting member 85having a first end 81 and a second end 82. Embodiments of the device 200and solar radiation collection portion 200 may share the same orsubstantially aspects, structural or functional, as device 100 and solarradiation collection portion 20, respectively.

Embodiments of the solar radiation collection portion 220 may include aconcentrator 233. The concentrator 233 may be a parabolic troughpartially or substantially encompassing a solar panel 225. Theconcentrator 233 may have various other shapes than a parabola.Embodiments of the concentrator 233 may receiving the solar panel 225,and may surround the solar panel 225, except for opening 234 of theconcentrator 233 to allow entry of the solar radiation. The solar panel225 may be positioned at or proximate the center of the concentrator 233on an inner reflective surface 235, as shown in FIG. 16. Moreover,embodiments of the concentrator may have a reflective inner surface 235for reflecting, refracting, deflecting, redirecting, focusing, etc., anincoming solar radiation towards the solar panel 225 positioned therein.For example, embodiments of the concentrator 233 may have an opening 234for allowing entry of radiation, wherein some of the incoming radiationwill contact the solar panel 225 directly, while the remaining radiationcan be reflected off of the inner surface 235 of the concentrator 233and directed toward the solar panel 225. Furthermore, embodiments of theconcentrator 233 may be rotatable, wherein the solar panel 225 mayrotate along with the concentrator 233, with respect to the base portion50.

Embodiments of the solar panel 225 may be electrically connected/coupledindependently to a power receiving unit, such as charge controller 40,as described in association with device 100 and solar panels 25 and 28.The solar panel 225 may be may be tuned to work most efficiently for aparticular wavelength of light, infrared light or monochromatic lightwhen availability of the entire spectrum of light is compromised (e.g.clouds, shadows, etc). Furthermore, the solar panel 225 may be aphotovoltaic module, or solar panel. For instance, the solar panel 225may be a monocrystalline silicon wafer, or a thin film photovoltaicmodule.

While the above has been described in conjunction with the specificembodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives,modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in theart. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of the invention as setforth above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Variouschanges may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention as defined in the following claims. The claims provide thescope of the coverage of the invention and should not be limited to thespecific examples provided herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device comprising: a solar radiation collectionportion, wherein the solar radiation collection portion includes: asolar panel to collect solar radiation, a concentrator surrounding thesolar panel to concentrate the solar radiation, and a charge controllercoupled to the solar panel; a base portion, a plurality of legs; and aconnection portion operably connecting the solar radiation collectionportion to the base portion, the connection portion including aconnection member having a first end and a second end.
 2. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the concentrator has a parabolic shape.
 3. The deviceof claim 1, wherein the concentrator has an opening to allow entry ofsolar radiation.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of legsare retractable.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the connection memberis rotatable.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the solar radiationcollection portion further includes a second solar panel coupled to thefirst solar panel.
 7. A solar powered rechargeable device comprising: asolar panel disposed on an inner reflective surface of a concentrator,the concentrator configured to collect and direct solar radiationtowards the solar panel; a battery unit having a plurality of legs and abattery plug electrically coupled thereto; a connection portionconnecting the solar panel to the battery unit, wherein the connectionportion erects the solar panel; a charge controller coupled to thesecond side of the solar panel, wherein the converter controls theelectrical energy converted by the solar panel; a first receptacleelectrically coupled to the charge controller, the first receptacleconfigured to accept an electrical plug from an electronic device toestablish a first electrical connection; and a second receptacleelectrically coupled to the battery unit, the second receptacleconfigured to accept the electrical plug from an electronic device toestablish a second electrical connection.
 8. The solar poweredrechargeable device of claim 7, further comprising: a second solar panelcoupled to the first side of the first solar panel.
 9. The solar poweredrechargeable device of claim 7, wherein the connection portion includesa first clip attached to the second side of the solar panel, a secondclip attached to the battery unit, and a connecting member.
 10. Thesolar powered rechargeable device of claim 7, wherein the legs of thebattery unit are retractable.
 11. The solar powered rechargeable deviceof claim 7, wherein the solar panel and concentrator are rotatable. 12.The solar powered rechargeable device of claim 7, wherein the firstelectrical connection and the second electrical connection charges anelectronic device.
 13. A method of charging an electronic devicecomprising: collecting solar radiation with a solar panel beingencompassed by a concentrator, wherein the concentrator has a parabolicshape and an inner reflective surface to concentrate the solar radiationonto a portion of the first solar panel; structurally connecting abattery unit to the solar panel, wherein the battery unit has aplurality of legs to provide stability; electrically coupling a firstreceptacle to the solar panel to transfer electrical energy from thefirst solar panel to at least one of the battery unit and an electronicdevice; and mating the first receptacle with the electronic device tocharge the electronic device.
 14. The method of charging an electronicdevice of claim 13, further including: coupling a second solar panel tothe solar panel; and coupling a charge controller to the solar panel tocontrol the flow of electrical energy produced by the solar panel. 15.The method of charging an electronic device of claim 13, wherein aconnection member structurally connects the battery unit and the solarpanel.
 16. The method of charging an electronic device of claim 13,wherein a battery plug is electrically coupled to the battery unit andconfigured to mate with the first receptacle to charge the battery unit.17. The method of charging an electronic device of claim 15, wherein theplurality of legs are retractable.